#TaxDay: 10 Rappers Who've Had Tax Trouble

BYPatrick Lyons10.9K Views
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A list of rappers who have been hit with tax liens and evasion charges.

Blame it on self-employment, shady labels or a simple lack of knowledge about this country's impenetrable tax system-- rappers have historically had problems with unpaid taxes. Time and time again, we've seen stories of various artists in the game getting hit with either a tax lien or tax evasion charges from the IRS and owing the government a ton of their hard-earned money.

As today's tax day, we're listing all of the rappers who've been popped for tax problems in recent memory. If we forgot any big ones, let us know.


MC Hammer

#TaxDay: 10 Rappers Who've Had Tax Trouble

Owed the government: $1,400,000

It took until 2011, but the IRS finally demanded some money from MC Hammer's earnings in 1996 and '97, which was the period during which he was $13 million in debt. First totaling around $800,000, the charge increased in 2014. 

 

Jermaine Dupri

#TaxDay: 10 Rappers Who've Had Tax Trouble

How much: $3,595,004.64 total.

In 2008, Dupri got popped for failing to pay his taxes since 2006, and a few years later, got hit with an additional lien for $500,000.

#TaxDay: 10 Rappers Who've Had Tax Trouble

How much: $546,270.29

In 2013, Snoop was hit with his second lien, with his first coming in 2008 to the tune of $476,000.

#TaxDay: 10 Rappers Who've Had Tax Trouble

How much: $1,100,000

This was a pretty terrible coincidence for Ja. He got out of prison in February 2013 after serving 20 months for a gun possession charge, and then was immediately hit with a tax evasion charge

#TaxDay: 10 Rappers Who've Had Tax Trouble

How much: $900,000

In 2013, the ex-Fugees MC got nabbed for not paying taxes from 2005 to 2007, but fortunately, she was able to pay it back before getting punished.

Lil Kim

#TaxDay: 10 Rappers Who've Had Tax Trouble

How much: $126,725.12 

In 2014, it was revealed that the Queen Bee had failed to pay her taxes for the last three years. 

#TaxDay: 10 Rappers Who've Had Tax Trouble

How much: $200,000

Joe didn't pay taxes on $3 million he earned between 2007 and 2010, so he eventually had to serve four months and prison and pay back a fifteenth of his earnings. 

Master P

#TaxDay: 10 Rappers Who've Had Tax Trouble

How much: $237,027.41

It took the IRS thirteen years to catch him, but in 2013, P was hit for not paying taxes in 1999 and 2000.

#TaxDay: 10 Rappers Who've Had Tax Trouble

How much: $91,648

This one wasn't too major, as it just stemmed from unpaid taxes on his earnings from his song "Bouncin' On My Dick."

Lil Wayne

#TaxDay: 10 Rappers Who've Had Tax Trouble

How much: $12,000,000 in 2014, $7,000,000 in 2009.

Wayne's owed more money than anyone else on this list, but lucky for him, he's also super rich so, he's had no problem paying these off in the past.

About The Author
<b>Feature Writer</b> Ever since he borrowed a copy of "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" from his local library, Patrick's love affair with hip-hop has been on an extended honeymoon phase. He now contributes features to HNHH, hoping to share his knowledge and passion with this site's broad audience. <strong>Favorite Hip Hop Artists:</strong> André 3000, Danny Brown, Kanye, Weezy, Gucci Mane, Action Bronson, MF DOOM, Ghostface Killah <strong>Favorite Producers:</strong> Lex Luger, Kanye (again), RZA, Young Chop, Madlib, J Dilla, Hudson Mohawke
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